Can we still continue to blame the west after experiencing the Tsunami, the earthquakes etc where the majority of those affected were Muslims? Man is unjust, but Allah always dispenses justice. If we are so good why are we experiencing Allah's wrath? What is wrong with us? Where are we failing?

Walaikum Assalaam:

The Ummah is very weak at this time and we are definitely not united, but do you really believe Allah is singleing out Muslims around the world for punishment? There is nothing in the Quran to indicate this, however, there are many Hadith from the Prophet(PBUH) that state that these natural catastrophes will increase as we near the Day of Judgement.

The Prophet also stated: "The Hour will not come until Allah takes away the best people on the earth; only the worst will be left; they will not know any good or forbid any evil." (Ahmad)

Anas reported that the Prophet said: "The Hour will not come until no-one on earth says 'La ilaha illa Allah'." (Ahmad)

The Prophet also stated that the living will envy the dead.

Perhaps the calamities that appear to be hounding the Muslims are actually a mercy from Allah in that these Believers will be spared what is coming?

Edited by Mishmish

It is only with the heart that one can see clearly, what is essential is invisible to the eye. (The Little Prince)

Assalam-alaikum! This is an interesting discussion and something most Muslims are battling with. Let us constructively debate why we are in the situation that we are in today.

MuslimChe wrote: Sadly, western media focuses on the bad, and guess why? It's not that they hate Muslims, it's just that hating Muslims sells in the west. It gets you the ratings you need.

Can we still continue to blame the west after experiencing the Tsunami, the earthquakes etc where the majority of those affected were Muslims? Man is unjust, but Allah always dispenses justice. If we are so good why are we experiencing Allah's wrath? What is wrong with us? Where are we failing?

Media my friend, Media. The western media is very anti-Muslim. The news cared for the Tsunami and Earthquake for 2 days. Then it was onto other things. It happens. This vicious cycle contines. People need re-education about religion. It doesn't have to be done by guns and swords. The power of words is sufficient.

Assalamlaikum. Mishmish wrote "The Ummah is very weak at this time and we are definitely not united, but do you really believe Allah is singleing out Muslims around the world for punishment? There is nothing in the Quran to indicate this, however, there are many Hadith from the Prophet(PBUH) that state that these natural catastrophes will increase as we near the Day of Judgement."

Your above statement surprises me a lot, especially when you say that there is nothing in the Qur'an that indicates this.

021.010YUSUFALI: We have revealed for you (O men!) a book in which is a Message for you: will ye not then understand?

021.011YUSUFALI: How many were the populations We utterly destroyed because of their iniquities, setting up in their places other peoples? 007.175YUSUFALI: Relate to them the story of the man to whom We sent Our signs, but he passed them by: so Satan followed him up, and he went astray. 007.176YUSUFALI: If it had been Our will, We should have elevated him with Our signs; but he inclined to the earth, and followed his own vain desires. His similitude is that of a dog: if you attack him, he lolls out his tongue, or if you leave him alone, he (still) lolls out his tongue. That is the similitude of those who reject Our signs; So relate the story; perchance they may reflect.

007.177YUSUFALI: Evil as an example are people who reject Our signs and wrong their own souls.

006.065YUSUFALI: Say: "He hath power to send calamities on you, from above and below, or to cover you with confusion in party strife, giving you a taste of mutual vengeance - each from the other." See how We explain the signs by various (symbols); that they may understand.

006.066YUSUFALI: But thy people reject this, though it is the truth. Say: "Not mine is the responsibility for arranging your affairs;

006.067YUSUFALI: For every message is a limit of time, and soon shall ye know it."

006.068YUSUFALI: When thou seest men engaged in vain discourse about Our signs, turn away from them unless they turn to a different theme. If Satan ever makes thee forget, then after recollection, sit not thou in the company of those who do wrong.

Brother, it is not for me to judge people. Allah is showing to us His signs and we are to reflect upon them and correct ourselves. What pains me most is that we Muslims have received true guidance, yet we turn away from His guidance as enunciated in the Quran. Allah is not just singling out Muslims, but Muslims seem to be in majority in the calamities that have befallen in recent times. Recall the earthquakes in Iran, Turkey and then the latest one in Pakistan. We have been witness to the Tsunami an event of most dreadful proportions and the majority of the casualties are Muslims. Muslim countries abound in corruption, oppression, greed, materialism and the list of vices can go on. Allah has promised to those who believe, who pray, who give in charity and who are righteous that they will not have anything to fear. How many of us pray regularly? How many times has Allah emphasised on prayer in the Qur'an? Cricket is more important than prayer these days.

Why are we so backward in terms of science and technology? Illiteracy and laziness are a hallmark of Muslims. "IQRA" the first ayat that was revealed to the Prophet (SAW) has been neglected. Education has been neglected and especially for women. Everytime this is brought up we claim our glorious history. That was what our fathers did. But what are we doing? We blame the west and seek comfort in blaming. Yet, it is these nations that we all wish to live in - including myself. Why? Because there is more justice here and because we can enjoy a higher standard of living. It was wrong for Bush, Blair and Howard to have attacked Iraq - a soveriegn nation. There is no doubt that the leaders of many western nations have a lot of blood on their hands, but to blame the entire west for the evil acts of their leaders is wrong. Democracy works here. How many rallies did we witness prior to the attacks on Iraq. Most people did everything they could to show their opposition to the war. Even now when governments are targetting Muslims for their anti-terrorism drives, the people show so much sympathy and support the Muslims.

Muslimche wrote: "Media my friend, Media. The western media is very anti-Muslim. The news cared for the Tsunami and Earthquake for 2 days. Then it was onto other things. It happens. This vicious cycle contines."

This is not true here. The Tsunami and the earhquake recieved very great media coverage for weeks, atleast here in Australia and people were very generous especially for the tsunami.

What I meant was that there is nothing in the Quran that indicates that Allah(SWT) would specifically rain destruction down upon the Muslim Ummah. None of the Ayats you mention describe any such direct retribution upon Muslims.

It is only with the heart that one can see clearly, what is essential is invisible to the eye. (The Little Prince)

What I meant was that there is nothing in the Quran that indicates that Allah(SWT) would specifically rain destruction down upon the Muslim Ummah. None of the Ayats you mention describe any such direct retribution upon Muslims.

47.38. Behold, ye are those invited to spend (of your substance) in the Way of Allah. But among you are some that are niggardly. But any who are niggardly are so at the expense of their own souls. But Allah is free of all wants, and it is ye that are needy. If ye turn back (from the Path), He will substitute in your stead another people; then they would not be like you!

Can we still continue to blame the west after experiencing the Tsunami, the earthquakes etc where the majority of those affected were Muslims? Man is unjust, but Allah always dispenses justice. If we are so good why are we experiencing Allah's wrath? What is wrong with us? Where are we failing?

Shamil,

What does the Ayat you quoted have to do with the original point listed above?

Yes, there are numerous Ayats in the Quran that speak of the punishment of those that go astray, but none that specifically state that natural disasters will be called down only upon the heads of Muslims. Perhaps I am wrong in this, I certainly am no scholar, but if there is such an Ayat then please post it.

If, as these posts suggest, Allah(SWT) is dispensing justice upon the Muslim Ummah for our wrongs, then where is the justice in the death of the hundreds of children killed in the Pakistani earthquake. They were still young enough to be completely innocent.

It is only with the heart that one can see clearly, what is essential is invisible to the eye. (The Little Prince)

I think perhaps I view things differently. My original post on this subject suggested that perhaps these disaster were a mercy to the Muslims, not retribution for their sins. I believe that only someone who loves the this life more than the Deen would view death as retribution.

It is only with the heart that one can see clearly, what is essential is invisible to the eye. (The Little Prince)

"If, as these posts suggest, Allah(SWT) is dispensing justice upon the Muslim Ummah for our wrongs, then where is the justice in the death of the hundreds of children killed in the Pakistani earthquake. They were still young enough to be completely innocent. "

Remember the story of sayyiduna Musa (a.s) and Kidhr?? I think it's safe to say that we may not fully understand how Allah ta'la serves justice we just know that He's just.

Think about the destruction of the people of sayyiduna Lut (A.S), sayyiduna Nuh (Noah a.s), the Aad, and the Thamud. Don't you think there were innocent children amongst them as well???

Still, we should pray for and aid all of our Muslim brothers and sisters. And, In sha allah any hardships they suffer will be kaffara for them.

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